Cost of Living Comparison Between Burkina Faso and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Burkina Faso and United States

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $515 per month in Burkina Faso vs $2,643 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $835 per month in Burkina Faso vs $3,857 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,154 per month in Burkina Faso vs $5,070 in United States, rent included.

Burkina Faso is roughly 81% cheaper than United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Burkina Faso sits 62% below the global median, while United States is 97% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.16 F CFA 2,907
$20.04 $20.04
-74.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.46 F CFA 13.2K
$76.0 $76.0
-69.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.08 F CFA 4,559
$11.42 $11.42
-29.25%
Cappuccino
$1.74 F CFA 979
$5.39 $5.39
-67.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 F CFA 449
$2.55 $2.55
-68.63%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54 F CFA 307
$2.04 $2.04
-73.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.07 F CFA 604
$6.14 $6.14
-82.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82 F CFA 1,024
$7.18 $7.18
-74.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.77 F CFA 1,562
$1.04 $1.04
166.35%
White Bread (500g)
$0.92 F CFA 517
$3.65 $3.65
-74.79%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.02 F CFA 573
$4.73 $4.73
-78.44%
Eggs
$3.07 F CFA 1,729
$4.38 $4.38
-29.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.50 F CFA 9,868
$12.76 $12.76
37.15%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$20.91 F CFA 11.8K
$12.42 $12.42
68.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.64 F CFA 7,126
$16.41 $16.41
-22.97%
Apples (1kg)
$4.37 F CFA 2,462
$5.42 $5.42
-19.37%
Banana (1kg)
$1.40 F CFA 789
$1.65 $1.65
-15.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.98 F CFA 550
$4.59 $4.59
-78.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.40 F CFA 1,352
$4.91 $4.91
-51.12%
Potato (1kg)
$2.28 F CFA 1,284
$2.92 $2.92
-21.92%
Onion (1kg)
$1.29 F CFA 730
$3.13 $3.13
-58.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.85 F CFA 481
$2.26 $2.26
-62.39%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.35 F CFA 761
$2.30 $2.30
-41.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.72 F CFA 970
$9.89 $9.89
-82.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.08 F CFA 3,431
$15.10 $15.10
-59.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.29 F CFA 727
$1.91 $1.91
-32.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 F CFA 1,353
$3.66 $3.66
-34.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 F CFA 102
$2.48 $2.48
-92.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$64.8 $64.8
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.51 F CFA 288
$3.84 $3.84
-86.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.54 F CFA 869
$1.76 $1.76
-12.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$30.58 $30.58
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 F CFA 835
$0.96 $0.96
54.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.2K F CFA 21.0M
$30.5K $30.5K
22.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.4K F CFA 20.5M
$26.4K $26.4K
38.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$124 F CFA 69.8K
$204 $204
-39.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.62 F CFA 20.1K
$57.3 $57.3
-37.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.7 F CFA 28.6K
$71.2 $71.2
-28.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.5 F CFA 34.7K
$46.67 $46.67
31.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.66 F CFA 4,886
$22.12 $22.12
-60.85%
Cinema Ticket
$8.90 F CFA 5,019
$13.84 $13.84
-35.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$135 F CFA 76.1K
$1,384 $1,384
-90.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.7K F CFA 10.0M
$22.7K $22.7K
-21.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.0 $53.0
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$43.17 $43.17
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$90.6 $90.6
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$114 $114
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$445 F CFA 250.8K
$1,766 $1,766
-74.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$281 F CFA 158.4K
$1,459 $1,459
-80.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,288 F CFA 726.4K
$2,832 $2,832
-54.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$778 F CFA 438.9K
$2,411 $2,411
-67.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$888 F CFA 500.8K
$3,287 $3,287
-72.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$271 F CFA 152.7K
$2,650 $2,650
-89.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burkina Faso
United States
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$596 F CFA 336.2K
$4,379 $4,379
-86.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
6.51
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Burkina Faso: June 1, 2026

Last update for United States: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $217 in Burkina Faso vs $1,637 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $433 in Ouagadougou and $2,591 in Washington, DC.

Average salary: $622 in Burkina Faso vs $4,500 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 654% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 508% more in United States.

Salaries are 623% higher in United States, giving United States stronger purchasing power.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Burkina Faso vs United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burkina Faso more expensive than United States?
Burkina Faso is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 524% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Burkina Faso, contributing to the overall 524% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Burkina Faso or United States?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Burkina Faso, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Burkina Faso or United States?
Burkina Faso is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

Burkina Faso vs other spots: cost of living compared

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